PH 124 - Earth Science I

Credit Hours: 4

A one-semester course designed to be taken in sequence with PH 125. PH 124 (lecture plus lab) introduces important geological processes that have environmental impacts, ranging from earthquakes and volcanic hazards to landslides and flooding. The framework for learning these processes will include the hydrologic cycle and the rock cycle. Discussions of environmental philosophy and the significance for society of the environmental findings of science will be covered. The laboratory involves hands-on experience with areas such as the following: field measurements of streams; map analysis; an examination of fossils as they relate to the environment; meteorite impacts; common rock-forming minerals; rocks; earthquakes; volcanoes; and soil classification.

Course Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

develop an understanding of the physical causes and events associated with natural earth processes; and
develop an understanding of the current methods of monitoring, measuring, describing, predicting and reporting natural events.

F (C)